The performance matched the venue.
Lauri Markkanen made quite the impression in his first game at Madison Square Garden, tallying 33 points (a career-best), 10 rebounds, eight 3-pointers and a pair of steals.
Markkanen made 10 of 22 from the field and went 8-for-15 from beyond the arc. He also made all five of his free throws and threw a hammer down on Enes Kanter.
It was arguably his best game of the year, and Basketball Reference’s Game Score agreed. We’ll safely assume he tops that at some time this season.
Previous Countdown to Opening Night posts:
38. Bobby Portis' career-high in points
37. Michael Jordan's career-best PPG in 1987
NBA
36. Lauri Markkanen's 3-point FG% as a rookie
35. Michael Jordan's PPG in 1988, his first MVP season
34. Wendell Carter
33. Scottie Pippen
32. Kris Dunn
31. Michael Jordan's 50-point games
30. Michael Jordan's career scoring average